If you've got asthma, you know that your asthma inhaler can come to your rescue in case of an emergency. Some inhaled asthma medications can also help you prevent asthma attacks by keeping your symptoms under control. For the best asthma control, it's important to understand what your asthma inhaler is for, how to use it and what medication it uses.
What They Do
Inhaled corticosteroid asthma medications can be some of the most effective for managing asthma symptoms. Some brand names include Pulmicort, Azmacort and Flovent, and they work by minimizing airway inflammation. These corticosteroids can help to prevent asthma attacks when used regularly. Bronchodilators are emergency asthma inhaler medications used during asthma attacks.
Types of Asthma Inhalers
The dry powder inhaler pumps out asthma medication into your lungs using your breath. A metered dose inhaler uses a pump with a canister inside it, and chemicals help to expel the medication into the lungs. A metered dose asthma inhaler may also come with what's called a space, an area that holds the medication after it's pumped to make it easier to inhale all of the medication that you need.
How to Use Them
Each type of inhaler works differently, so make sure that your doctor shows you how to use yours. Make sure that you understand the directions on how to use your inhaler and that you follow them each time.
Keep Track
You don't want to run out of medication in an emergency, so make sure you keep track of how much medication you have left in your inhaler. Record how many doses you've used to help figure out approximately how much you have left, and try to keep an extra canister of medication on hand. Never use an inhaler that is beyond its expiration date.
Additional Asthma Medications
Your inhaler won't be the only medication that you have for your asthma symptoms; they're usually prescribed in addition to other medications. Long-acting beta-2 agonists, or LABAs, bronchodilators and leukotriene modifying medications may also be prescribed.
Your Symptoms
If you find that you are having to use your emergency asthma inhaler frequently--a few times a week or more--you may not be getting the symptom control that you need. Talk to your doctor about better ways to manage your symptoms so that you don't need emergency asthma medication as often.
